May 17

“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” —PROVERBS 28:26

The book of Proverbs talks a lot about ‘the fool’ – 56 times to be precise. What makes for a fool? The fool in Proverbs is not classified by his mental capacity, but by his mental attitude. Rather than having a disposition conditioned by the fear of God, he has opinions about everything and can do everything himself. He is totally content with his own capabilities and his own conclusions.

Foolishness is to be avoided and wisdom acquired. Wisdom is quite different from knowledge. Knowledge is retaining facts and understanding them, but wisdom comes from life experiences and begins with God. It is a deeply abiding reverence for who He is and commands respect for His Word. As Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”, so by deduction we can say wisdom is the ability to see things from God’s perspective. We can’t know everything, nor are we meant to, but the revelation God has given us of Himself and His creation is the starting point of both knowledge and wisdom.

Wisdom is a disposition that walks humbly with God and with people. It is to be mined in the Word of God and its truth lived out in our lives. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.” Proverbs 2:3-6 answers the question on how to get wisdom. “…and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” 

In genuinely seeking God, we find the beginning of wisdom, and then it becomes a gift of God that is received in humble awareness of our utter dependence on Him and who He is. To not live in the fear of God is to live a precarious life, which will stand before Him on Judgment Day. This is the folly of a fool and will lead to destruction, but the way of the wise leads to life.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You hold my life in your hands. To not live in a healthy fear of You would be foolish, for You created me. Grant me wisdom that I may thoroughly understand your Word and the discipline to live by it. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: How would I explain to others that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom?